Hollywood is experiencing a cinematic resurgence of mature themes this summer, with a notable increase in films featuring explicit sexual content and explorations of sexuality. This trend marks a departure from recent years, during which studios were perceived to be shying away from such content, potentially in an effort to appeal to younger audiences like Gen Z. Data indicated a 40% decline in sex scenes in cinema since 2000, with polls suggesting younger viewers favored platonic friendships over romantic or sexual entanglements.
Film critics observe a renewed willingness among filmmakers to tackle sex and sexuality on increasingly mainstream canvases. Travis Woods, a film critic specializing in erotic thrillers, noted, "Movies are getting horny again." He added that while not reaching the intensity of 1980s and 1990s erotic films, filmmakers are "however gently – beginning to explore sex and sexuality once again, on increasingly mainstream canvases." Rafaela Bassili, writing for The Guardian, observed a cultural recalibration, with "smut" literature on the rise, prestige television depicting OnlyFans models, and indie films exploring kink. Bassili suggested that this summer's films are addressing "generational attitudes about sex... through confused young protagonists and their sexual misadventures."
This shift is exemplified by several recent releases. "One Night Only" presents a dystopian near-future United States where premarital sex is outlawed for 364 days a year, centering on a couple's attempt to find connection during a single 12-hour window. While not featuring explicit sex scenes, the film's premise revolves around the pursuit of intimacy.
"I Want Your Sex" is described as one of the summer's raunchiest films, graphically depicting sexual relationships. The film's protagonist, Erika, played by Olivia Wilde, enlists a character to be her "sexual muse." The movie actively satirizes Gen Z's perceived sexual repression, with director Gregg Araki calling it a "sex-positive love letter to Gen Z" and a reaction to articles suggesting younger generations are having less sex.
"The Invite," directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, offers a different perspective on sexuality. Her character, an uptight homemaker, and her husband explore non-monogamy after their swinging neighbors are introduced. Wilde stated that the film's themes made her more optimistic about romance and adult storytelling in cinema.
Other notable films include "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma," which uses sex as an underlying theme in a slasher film remake, with director Jane Schoenbrun describing the film as a statement against repression. "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" employs a comedic approach to sexual themes, following a character's quest to sleep with a celebrity after her fiancé does the same. 
Critics suggest this trend may be an attempt to reintroduce sex and mature storytelling to theaters, potentially with a "built-in chaperone" effect for younger audiences. The embrace of these themes is seen by some as a relief after years of what some perceived as a decline in on-screen sexuality.
